JAR, COSMETIC - PONDS

c. 1910
Overview

A white glass moulded jar. Roughly cube shaped with a finish on top to support an attached rusted round screw lid.

The bottom and top of the body of the jar has two flanges that act as support when placed on a surface and for grip.

The word [POND'S] has been placed vertically on the front and rear surfaces in an oval.

Historical information

The American chemist Theron. T. Pond created an extract from witch hazel that he found helped heal minor cuts and other skin irritation. His company was formed in 1846 shortly before his death in 1849.

By 1914 the company renamed itself Pond's Extract Company and had focused on selling cosmetics. The company would be merged twice - the first in 1955 and the second time in 1987 by Unilever. The Pond name is still on products to this day.

Found at Mt Richon Vineyard in a rubbish pit. It would have been thrown into the pit when the contents were finished and the jar served no further use.

The Richon vineyard was originally planted by Joseph and Anton Marian in 1901 as Marians Vineyard with some locals referring to it as The Slavonian Vineyard. Joseph was Anton’s uncle and was originally from Austria.

A cellar was built at the site in 1906 but was almost completely burnt to the ground in 1914, it would be rebuilt and extended.

In 1919 the vineyard was sold to Gerald Valentine Patrick McCarthy who renamed it in 1920 to Richon after Rishon LeZion, a town in what is now Israel. McCarthy had spent time in the town during the First World War as an intelligence officer

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-33-AK2000.192
Material
Glass
Inscriptions and markings

[PONDS]

Year
Statement of significance

LOW

The Ponds jar was used at the Richon Vineyards by someone living and working at the site.

It is an example of the products used for the purpose of maintaining healthy skin.

Last modified
Friday, 2 October, 2026
Completeness
83
City of Armadale - History House

City of Armadale - History House

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